On this day: May 29

2012: Legendary bluegrass singer-songwriter and guitarist Doc Watson dies at the age of 89 in Winston-Salem, N.C., after undergoing colon surgery. Known for his flatpicking skills on the guitar and knowledge of traditional American music, Watson won seven Grammys as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award during his career.

Constantinople falls, Bing Crosby records "White Christmas," Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reach the top of Mount Everest, and Janet Guthrie becomes the first woman to race in the Indy 500, all on this day.